Que Tal Mormones!

QUE TAL MORMONES! Haha What´s up Mormons?

Hello family!

Wow I have a lot to say. It´s easier for me if I just quote my journal. I hope you don´t mind. Okay here goes.

Tuesday July 16, 2013 Today we felt a good energy for the work in Ciudad Colon.

The majority of our plans fell through-and I didn´t get discouraged, but I was a little annoyed that my plans weren’t working the way I´d wanted. We had 3 members willing to help us, yet nothing, (side note, we were served mystery meat, ate every bite and felt sick for the rest of the day.) There were many moments when Satan was working so hard. My comp said, “let´s just go play one game with the Relief Society, I need to relax.” And as much as my natural woman wanted to, our spirits are always stronger. “No.” I said. “We’re trying to improve this area. These members will remember where we were at-playing games or working. Let us live worthy of their confidence.” And out we went. I testify that when we´re obedient, working, and doing what we should, when we should, Heavenly Father pours out his blessings. We were blessed with the ability to finally contact *John (less active youth) and his mom (deaf and mute) I´ll admit, I´m usually scared to talk to her because it´s hard to understand. But I need to remember the talents God has given me-to communicate in Spanish and with my hands.

Also, when we were walking home, *Jack (favorite taxi guy) honked and said, “where’re ya going?’ to the house we replied. Get in! (No charge-Preach My Gospel moment!!) We asked him about the W of W pamphlet, talked about it, and then we arrived at home, but we didn´t get out. He then said, “ teach me something else about your religion.” The two of us were in shock. Where would we even start? The Book of Mormon. And the conversation ran from there. It was my first lesson I’ve had;

a. Talking to the rearview mirror

b. in a car

c. Without a woman present.

It was in reality a miracle. The spirit was so strong. I left with a burning in my frame. This man is prepared! I hope that he can trust the impressions he´s feeling from the Holy Ghost.¨ This is EXACTLY how I felt yesterday, and most of the time here in the mish. ¨Behold, I am full of the Spirit of God, insomuch that my frame has no strength.¨-Nephi. (1nephi 17:47) My little body just can´t handle this spirit! haha

Saturday Morning

*Joe and *Jane. He´s an r.m, she´s catholic. They’ve been together 6 years. I personally cannot imagine going through all this as a missionary and come home to marry someone outside of the temple. Anyway, my comp and I felt very strongly like we needed to visit Jane-who as legend has it, will not talk religion. We asked Joe what we could do to win her heart and he said we could bring something to plant. So we set off, went to Pastor´s house and bought a box of planted things for four bucks. It was a really haggard looking mix of things-but a symbol of peace and love. So Mop (Marco), comp, and I headed out. Turns out, this box was heavy. We knew our destination was far, but we didn´t know how far. We decided to call Jack (taxi guy). Let me first describe his car: 4 doors, 5 seats. But small. Like the kind of smart cars you find in Italy. Our directions for Joe´s house were up the street and all the way until you´re at the last house. So we´re trudging along and Jack´s tiny car is struggling. I’m frankly dying of laughter because of the ridiculousness of everything: the scraggly plant (they told us later that one of the plants was a marijuana plant), the 4 of us crammed in the world´s littlest and bravest toaster, and the steepness of the hill. We eventually had to get out of the car as Jack headed up solo. I was just crying with laughter. Finally we made it! We scared her a little as we showed up with a box of stuff from strangers-but eventually we got to talking, and I think we´re now friends. It took us an hour and a half just to walk down the hill. (Ouch!) But it was one of those moments where I found myself surrounded by green luscious jungle with good friends on the Lords errand and I was overwhelmed with joy with where I was. Costa Rica is beautiful. Life is beautiful.

The following day we had interviews with President and that was a good experience. He told me he truly trusts me and made me feel good. I´m through the mid-mission life crisis (I hope) and will now move forward.

Yesterday, once again I couldn´t sleep. (Night number 3 now.) I feel awful. Something was not right and my ear was killing me. I called the new nurse and I kid you not, her suggestion was: water and Beptobismo. I went to the church to get a blessing from *Jim and Hermano *Smith. It was Jim´s first blessing-and in English. He was nervous, but I told him to use the blessings God gave him. It was a wonderful, very spiritual blessing. Afterwards we headed over to bishop´s house where I tried to sleep with pain, but couldn´t. I was in good hands though and I´m very grateful for them. (Angles are all around me, mom.) **Tender mercy moment when my mom just happened to email the bishops wife and find out I was there at that moment in pain, wanting my mommy.**

I slept last night! I feel better. Not 100 percent, but hay vamos.

Sunday July 21, 2103

I can count on my one hand how much edible food we have in the house (peanut butter, syrup, rotten bananas, and mac and cheese.) I do not have 1 mil. I have eleven days to go without more money-And I´m getting sick of people dumping us. Satan is real and strong. But I´m always stronger.

However, Today was a very beautiful day in church. We spoke in sacrament and I felt the spirit very strongly. (I shared my experience in being a missionary for *C the day before his sister passed away. A lot of people were touched. Basically I know Heavenly Father answers our prayers. And the opportunity to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord is incredible. And I know families truly can live together forever.) The piano music and hymns were so beautiful. I love this ward. We spoke about Relief Society. And it´s true that my mother is very far away right now. But there are moments when she´s here. I´m grateful for Relief Society because it´s a sisterhood of angels who I know will help me with whatever I need.

We came back to the house to study and I got a little bummed out. No food. I´m tired. (OUR PETS HEADS ARE FALLIN OFF! I actually said this out loud, in English. Then had to explain to my confused companion. Hilarious.) Someone else dumped us. And I was just bummed. I put my head on my desk and remembered the words of my mother telling me I can choose my attitude. I realized in that moment I had the power to be happy. To see miracles. So we put one foot in front of the other and walked with faith.

First off we headed to the *Johnson family (who are all members) to teach her 80-year-old mother wants to listen to us and be baptized, maybe. Her returned missionary son, *Mark told us to give granny a baptismal date and I’ll admit I was pretty nervous. The atmosphere wasn’t quite right. As we were about to start, the phone rang. A family showed up out front for a visit. A big band of people entered their home-some even entered playing the guitar. I couldn’t stop laughing. This moment was just too ridiculous. I am never bored in this mission. It was as if I were part of a Griswold Family Night or something-absolutely a blast. Anyways we jogged out as soon as we could and headed to our next cita with Stake President *Anderson and his family-even though we had nobody to bring to our FHE.

We entered his house with a lot of anxiety. Here was a family ready to help us-yet we had nobody. President said we needed to kneel down and pray. I´ll admit. I thought-vamos a ver. In his prayer, he expressed his desire to help other families come unto Christ. Help us know who needs our help. We finished and thought for a bit. Finally he suggested we go to (I love this name:) Quitirrisi (pronounced like Take it easy) We left following the spirit now knowing beforehand what we should do or say. I´m grateful for the help of members. We couldn´t have done this without them.

We went to *Ann and *Mike’s house. She´s a member-he´s not-they just had a baby. Right off the bat the spirit was so strong. We talked about the blessings the gospel brings to an eternal family. I then asked him if he would prepare to be baptized. He said he wanted to, but didn´t want to commit, and then back out. In his final prayer, he accepted his date. It was a miracle. He told us that today he had desires (ganas) to go to church, but didn´t. Yet the church came to him. I wanted to scream and clap my hands for joy. Pres. Anderson on the car ride (which now make me super sick. I´m so not used to cars.) said he felt like a missionary again. He felt that rush. He said it didn´t matter if they had no food or walked through the rain all day. If they only had someone willing to listen-a willing heart, all was okay. And it´s true!

I am dirt poor. We have NO money. NO food this week. (Don´t worry, mom, I’m emailing president, my comp too. And we´re going to call him. DON´T WORRY! LOVE YOU!) I am exhausted. I have 2 ear infections, (My ears are tender, but are better!) a staph infection, 2 lumps on the back of my head from stress, I want to throw up, but I could not be happier. This is real joy. ¨For whosoever will save his life shall loose it: and whosoever will loose his life for my sake shall find it.¨-Matt 16:25 I am finally living.

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, He is the best example of how to love and serve others. I love my family. I love my scriptures. I am so grateful for all my blessings!

Love,

Hermana Workman.

P.S

I saw a tarantula today that really made me say “holy schnikees!” It was huge, hairy, scary, and from the jungle.

I wrote that yesterday.

:)

P.S.P.S.  We accidently bought rum cake to celebrate something. Ha. We gave it to our neighbors. Take into consideration that in Costa Rica, THEY DON´T COOK THEIR CAKES! It´s called 3 milks because they just pour 3 different milks-liquids on it.

Gotta love it baby.

Ello Govn´a!

Thank you for the update on the garden. For a moment there, It was like I was there. Congrats on all the bloom! Something that I will REALLY miss about Costa Rica is the fruit. Fresh. WHENEVER you want it. CHEAP. Seriously. Think of all the McDonalds we´ve got going on in the states. Times that by 10 and that´s how many places offer delicious fruit here.

Pa, I love you!

Love, Meg

Love you mom!

Today I went to the bank and found more money than expected.

ONE MILLION AND ONE THANK YOUS.  When I was sick, mom, I held that white blanket you packed me close to me, like we were snuggling. Love you! Don’t cry for me Argentina. Today I bought beautiful scripture case. Photos to come in about a week.

Meggie